The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of July 25, 2016Seek Him2 Chronicles 15:1-2, “The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, 2and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”Beloved, the story of Asa is a story in which we can all learn a valuable lesson. Asa was king over Judah for forty-one years and for most of that time, Asa was a good king. 2 Chronicles 14: 2-3 says, “And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. 3He took away the foreign altars and the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim.”As we read, Asa was seeking the Lord and seeking to do the right thing. He continued to seek the Lord all the more after Azariah gave the above proclamation found in 2 Chronicles 15. This spurned Asa to take courage, “And put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim.” (2 Chronicles 15:8)Unfortunately it did not last. Toward the end of Asa’s life he stopped seeking the Lord. When Israel came against Judah, He trusted Ben Hadad the king of Syria instead of trusting the Lord. And even when Asa got diseased in his feet, he did not seek the lord as 2 Chronicles 16:12, says, “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was diseased in his feet, and his disease became severe. Yet even in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but sought help from physicians.”Beloved, the lesson for us is clear. We must continually seek the Lord. As 2 Chronicles 15:2 says, “The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” Beloved, we must consistently and continually run to the Lord as Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”Beloved, I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you!In Him,Pastor Joe

​The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of July 18, 2016Ministry1 Chronicles 26:12- “These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their chief men, had duties, just as their brothers did, ministering in the house of the Lord.”Beloved, as we look at the aforementioned verse we learn a few things about ministry. We learn that ministry includes order, submission, duties, cooperation and service.The Bible tells us that the church should be operated decently and in order, 1 Corinthians 14:40- “But all things should be done decently and in order.” Hence, there were “divisions of (the) gatekeepers.” The gatekeepers were divided up so that each would get an opportunity to serve in order. When the Body of Christ is all in, then all get an opportunity to serve. Unfortunately, what we often find is 20% percent of the church doing 80% of the work. Everyone needs to be involved.Secondly we learn that there was submission and correspondence, “corresponding to their chief men.” There was submission to those above them and communication between them. This allowed the body to operate more efficiently.Thirdly we notice that each gatekeeper had a duty, “had duties.” As I once mentioned, “There is no unemployment in the Body of Christ.” Each believer has been called to serve alongside of one another. Beloved, when we take ownership of the Church, we acquire responsibilities, which we must fill. Unfortunately too many Christians are consumers and not servants.Fourthly we see that there was cooperation, “just as their brothers did.” Everyone was in it together and everyone did his or her share. Beloved, if you are serving alone, pray that the Lord would send workers into the harvest! The Body of Christ desperately needs more servants/leaders.Finally we see that ministry involves service, “in the house of the Lord.” A lady once asked me, “How does all this happen?” Obviously the Lord moves on the hearts of people to love and to serve and to give. They give of their time, their talent and their treasure. And when that happens, the Body of Christ beautifully honors their Savior!Beloved, I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you!In Christ,Pastor Joe

The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of July 11, 2016How To Kill A Lion In A Pit On A Snowy Day1 Chronicles 11:22, “And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two heroes of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.”In 1 Chronicles 11 we have the list of David’s renowned men. Men who helped King David succeed. Benaiah was one of David’s key men. He was one of the top thirty of all of David’s men and he did great exploits such as killing a lion in a pit on a snowy day. He also killed two heroes of Moab and in a latter verse he killed an Egyptian. All three are types of enemies that beset each of us. Spiritually they represent the flesh, the world and the devil.In particular the lion represents Satan. Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.” So what is the lion in our lives?For some it may be a physical disease or affliction. It may be a crushing disappointment. It could be a loved one taken from you or maybe the fear of being financially ruined. Whatever it may be, the lion is the worst possible foe in your life.So how do we kill a lion in a pit on a snowy day? Remember, Benaiah met this lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. That made it a very treacherous situation -- the worst possible foe, in the worst possible place, under the worst possible circumstances.The key to victory lies in the names of Benaiah and his father, Jehoiada. If you take the meaning of those two names, in the order of seniority, you get the secret of how to kill a lion on a snowy day. Jehoiada means "God knows," and Benaiah means "God builds." Those twin truths are the secret of how to meet a lion, the worst possible foe, in the worst possible place, under the worst possible circumstances, and win. We rest upon the facts that God knows, and God builds.In 1895 Andrew Murray was in England suffering from a terrible back injury. He said these words: “In time of trouble, say, "First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place; in that I will rest." Next, "He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child." Then say, "He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow." And last, say, "In His good time He can bring me out again. How, and when, He knows." Therefore say, "I am here (1) by God's appointment, (2) in His keeping, (3) under His training, (4) for His time."That is how to kill a lion on a snowy day. God knows and God builds. Beloved, may the Lord use your current trial to build your faith and trust in Him!I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you!In Jesus Name,Pastor Joe

Pastor's Pen

Senior PastorJoe Marquez

Beloved, we are soon to once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the human Son of man and the divine Son of God. He is one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God.

While there were many people instrumental in the birth of Christ, this morning we will look at His birth through the eyes of Joseph, His legal father. There is not too much known about the man who would care for Christ as He grew up. We know that Joseph was possibly a carpenter but most importantly we know that he was a righteous man who did the right thing.

When others would have ran away from a responsibility that was not even their own, Joseph stood steadfast and remained faithful to the end. We can learn much from his character and apply his attributes of faithfulness, purity, and perseverance to our own lives.

May you have a Blessed Christmas week and may Christ always be at the center of your lives!

P.S. Come back this evening as we look at the birth of Christ through the Gospel of Luke!